Turkish harpist Güneş Hızlılar has been appointed to two new positions in her hometown of Istanbul, joining the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra and the faculty of the Maltepe University Conservatory. “After many enriching years performing with leading orchestras across Europe, I feel deeply grateful and honored to now contribute to the cultural life of my hometown as part of one of Turkey’s esteemed orchestras,” Hızlılar says. “At the same time, I am excited to guide and inspire my new harp students [at the Maltepe University Conservatory], sharing with them the valuable insights I gained, as well as the love and passion for this beautiful instrument.”
Hızlılar has won numerous prizes at international harp competitions, including first prize at the Marcel Tournier International Harp Competition in Italy and the Assia Cunego International Harp Competition in Germany, second prize at the International Harp Competition of the Slovenian Harp Association, third prize at the Franz Josef Reinl Foundation Harp Competition in Austria, and third prize at the Martine Géliot International Harp Competition in France.
Hızlılar joined the Staatskapelle Berlin Orchestra Academy under the baton of general music director Daniel Barenboim, where she worked with conductors and soloists such as Zubin Mehta, Martha Argerich, Pinchas Zukerman, Antonio Pappano, María Dueñas, Alain Altinoglu, and many others from 2019 to 2022. Following the academy, Hızlılar served as associate solo harp of the Hannover State Opera Orchestra during the 2022–2023 season.
Hızlılar is an alumna of Salzburg Mozarteum University, where she studied harp under Stephen Fitzpatrick during her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in arts at Istanbul University State Conservatory. Learn more on her website.
